Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)

Breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) is widely known to be the most successful cosmetic surgery procedure from the patient's point of view. It improves the size and shape of the breasts as well as increasing comfort: less backache, neck ache, shoulder pain, sweating, skin rashes, bra strap indentation, poor posture, etc. From the perspective of patient satisfaction breast reduction is perhaps the most reliable of all cosmetic surgical procedures and there is an appreciable and quantifiable improvement in the patient’s quality of life.

Reduction mammaplasty reduces the size of large, heavy and pendulous breasts while reshaping and uplifting them to give smaller, youthful and aesthetically pleasing breasts.

Of the many breast reduction techniques available Professor Malata prefers the minimal scar techniques: LeJour vertical mammaplasty or the Hall-Findlay superomedial vertical scar method for smaller breasts. For very large breasts a traditional anchor-shaped / T-scar method (with a superomedial pedicle technique) is chosen. Rarely, it is possible to reduce the breasts without scars by using liposuction alone. He reserves the McKissock vertical bipedicle technic only for redo surgery in patients who have had an inferior pedicle technique elsewhere.

To view the before and after photos in Professor Malata’s publications on breast reduction / reduction mammaplasty click below

As in any cosmetic surgery, there are risks as well as benefits and the final results are not guaranteed. The chance of complications following breast reduction surgery depends on the exact type of operation needed and other factors such as your general health. Professor Malata will explain how the risks apply to you. Detailed postoperative instructions will be discussed during consultation and a procedure-specific handout given to you by Professor Malata.

Some risks of breast reduction

Frequent:

Bruising & swelling

Numbness of nipples & breast skin: common

Delayed healing and T-junction wound breakdown: common but insignificant

Altered nipple & skin sensation: usually temporary

Long scars – largely unavoidable

Interference with breast feeding – moderate

Loss of erotic nipple sensation: common

Infrequent:

Bleeding/ haematoma: uncommon

Infection: rare

“Bottoming out” (nipples too high) - rare

Residual asymmetry between the 2 breasts.

Malposition of the nipples,

Lumpy scars: hypertrophic/ keloidal scars

Fat necrosis: smokers, gigantomastia

Nipple loss: extremely rare

Unpleasant nipple sensitivity

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Reduction Mammaplasty)

LENGTH OF SURGERY

2 - 3 hours

ANAESTHESIA

General anaesthetic

NO. OF NIGHTS IN HOSPITAL

1 - 2 nights

RECOVERY

5 - 10 days until socialising with close friends and family

2 weeks until return to work and normal social engagements

3 - 4 weeks until bruising and swelling disappear

6 - 8 weeks until return to gym and other strenuous activities

12 - 24 weeks until final result - scarring will continue to improve for the next 12 months